Over the summer months, we met in person at Linda Hasler’s home in July and Margaret and Jack Markham’s home in August for two delightful afternoons of sampling new and unexplored vintages. Since we are now meeting in person, we have returned to our original format of tasting two white and two red vintages every month. We would like to share with you our favourite choices and recommendations for these two months.
July, 2022
Torres – 2020 Viña Esmeralda (Highly Recommended)
The wine tasting group enjoyed this medium bodied white wine, identified as Catalunya D.O., Spain, particularly on a hot summer’s day. Eleven of fourteen wine tasters would buy and serve it. The price was reasonable at $14.95 with an alcohol content of 11.5%.
Natalie McLean’s Score for this wine was 90/100. She describes Viña Esmeralda 2020 as a vegan friendly, off-dry, medium-bodied white wine blend of Muscat of Alexandria and Gewürztraminer. Fragrant with summer kissed white florals and pink rose, tasty with citrus zest, lychee, peach, rose petal and soft spicy notes on the palate. So pretty for spring. Chill and enjoy with brunch dishes or pad Thai. Food pairings include grilled shrimp, fish tacos, crab cakes, and quesadillas.
Viña Esmeralda was also described as a Spectacular Spicy Wine and was rated as 96 at the DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS.
Our second white wine was not recommended. We questioned if we would have recommended it had we not tasted the Torres Esmeralda immediately beforehand.
Valdelacierva– 2016 Viña Crianza (Highly Recommended)
Our two red choices for July were both highly recommended by those who prefer red wine and all of them would purchase these wines.
The selection featured for this month is Viña Crianza from 2016 which is produced by the Valdelacierva Winery. It is labelled as Rioja D.O.C.A., from Spain; the agent importing the wine is VinoLuna. This extra dry red wine is reasonably priced at $16.95 with a 14% alcohol content.
Natalie McLean’s Score for this wine was 90/100 when it was reviewed on April 1, 2022.
Valdelacierva Crianza 2016 is described as a classic Rioja Tempranillo and amazing value at $17.00. The wine is dry, robust and juicy with layers of dark cherry, plum, boysenberry, anise, citrus zest and stony mineral flavours vibrant on the palate. She recommends that you can either drink it now or hold it and suggests that you can pour it and enjoy it with a Porchetta roast. Other Crianza food pairings are lamb breast stuffed with veal pork and green herbs, a spinach cake, or roast pork/
Thomas Mathews of the Wine Spectator rated this wine at 91/100.
August, 2022
During the second month after pandemic restrictions were lifted, we met in person at the Markham’s home on August 4th. We sampled four different wines which are pictured and outlined in detail below.
Josh Cellars – Pinot Grigio
This is a white wine from California which is light and fruity and features flavours of citrus and passion fruit. It is crisp and bright, with hints of green apple and pear. It pairs well with lighter fare and is best shared with loved ones. The Alcohol per volume is 12.5% and it is priced at $18.95.
Woodbridge – Chardonnay
Woodbridge is a California winery that was founded in 1979 and is used to craft fine wines for everyday enjoyment. This Chardonnay showcases flavours of ripe pear and apple, complemented by notes of vanilla and a touch of oak and is automatically flavourful. The Alcohol per volume is 13.5 % and it is priced at $13.95.
Frontera – Cabernet Sauvignon
This red wine from Chile is medium bodied and fruity and has enticing plum and chocolate aromas. It has soft red fruit flavours. The ideal choice for this wine is to serve it with hearty stews, classic pastas and grilled red meats, as well as a lamb or steak sandwich. Priced at $15.95 with Alcohol per volume of 12%.
Only 5 of our 12 wine tasters would purchase or serve the wines outlined above.
Josh Cellars – Merlot (Highly Recommended)
This Merlot from Josh Cellars in California is full bodied and smooth as well as soft and inviting with balanced flavours of blueberry, raspberry, and milk chocolate and scents of fragrant violets and vanilla. The wine brings out the best of rich, bold flavours, so it is recommended serving it with soft cheese or meat. The Alcohol per volume is 13.5% and the wine was priced at $19.95.
This wine was highly recommended for buying and serving by our 12 tasters.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 